4 free courses to help you communicate better in the nonprofit sector
Running a nonprofit means wearing a dozen hats at once — board liaison, team manager, grant writer, fundraiser, and more, often all before lunch. That's why we're excited to announce 4 new courses on OWL (Open World Learning) designed specifically for nonprofit and charity professionals who want practical, real-world skills without the fluff. We launch new courses every quarter to best serve our nonprofit champions. If you're interested in our last course drop, you can browse through 13 free nonprofit courses we released in March 2026.
Why These Courses, Why Now
Nonprofits are being asked to do more with less — tighter budgets, smaller teams, and higher expectations from donors and boards alike. These four courses were built to address the exact pressure points that come up again and again in the sector: governance, people management, funding, and fundraising. Each course is self-paced, practical, and built by people who understand nonprofit work isn't a scaled-down version of the corporate world — it's its own discipline with its own challenges.
1. Effective Nonprofit Board Meeting Management
Board meetings shouldn't feel like an endurance test. Learn how to run focused, productive meetings that keep your board engaged, informed, and ready to support your mission. Log into your OWL account and check out this course through this link.
2. How to Talk to Your Team
Your team cares deeply about the work. This course shows you how to say what you mean so your team hears it, trusts you, and is ready to give their all.
Best for: Team leads, program managers, and anyone managing people in a nonprofit setting.
Interested? Log into your OWL account and check out this course through this link.
3. Grant Writing Mistakes That Cost You Money
Grant writing is a craft. This course teaches you how to frame your idea, tell your story, and structure a proposal that gets read — and funded.
Best for: Development staff, grant writers, and founders writing their own proposals.
Log into your OWL account and check out Grant Writing Mistakes That Cost You Money through this link.
4. Digital and Online Fundraising for Nonprofits
Donors are online. Your fundraising strategy needs to be too. Learn how to craft digital campaigns that connect with your audience, tell your story, and convert supporters into long-term champions.
Best for: Fundraising and marketing staff, communications leads, and small teams doing it all.
Learn more about Digital and Online Fundraising for Nonprofits through this link here.
Get Started
All four courses are available now on OWL. Whether you're preparing for your next board meeting or gearing up for a year-end campaign, there's no better time to build the skills that keep your mission moving forward.
